Aces in the Hole – featuring Bellator fighters Neiman Gracie and Rafael Lovato Jr

On April 28, Bellator MMA will head to Illinois with Bellator 198. In today’s episode of Across The Pond, you will meet two submission aces looking to continue their rapid rise.

Neiman Gracie – A professional since September 2013 and representing Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Neiman Gracie owns an unbeaten 7-0 record consisting of six submissions and one decision. Gracie has spent the bulk of his professional career with Bellator MMA and has also competed for World Series Of Fighting. In his MMA debut at WSOF 5, he submitted Darren Costa in the first round via armbar. Gracie also tapped out Dustin Holyko via rear naked choke in the second round at WSOF 11. In his Bellator MMA debut at Bellator 134, he submitted Bobby Flynn via neck crank in the first round. Gracie defeated Roger Carroll via unanimous decision in his second Bellator MMA appearance at Bellator 151. Then at Bellator 163, he tapped out Rudy Bears via armbar in the first round. Gracie submitted Dave Marfone in the second round via rear naked choke at Bellator 180. In his next appearance with Bellator MMA at Bellator 185, he tapped out Zak Bucia via neck crank in the second round to extend his unbeaten streak to seven to begin his professional career. For his next Bellator MMA outing at Bellator 198 on April 28, Gracie will face Javier Torres in a welterweight battle. Good luck Neiman!

Rafael Lovato Jr –A professional since September 2014 and representing Lovato’s School of BJJ and MMA, Rafael Lovato Jr owns an unbeaten 7-0 record consisting of four submissions, two knockouts and one decision. Prior to making his Bellator MMA debut in 2017, Lovato Jr competed for Legacy Fighting Championship. In his MMA debut at Legacy Fighting Championship 35, he submitted Canaan Grigsby in the first round via arm triangle choke. Lovato Jr also tapped out Kevin Holland via rear naked choke in the first round at Legacy Fighting Championship 46. Then at Legacy Fighting Championship 54, he defeated Marcelo Nunes via TKO in the second round. In his final outing with Legacy Fighting Championship at Legacy FC 62 Lovato Jr submitted Cortez Coleman via armbar in round three. In his Bellator MMA debut at Bellator 174, he defeated Charles Hackmann via TKO in round one. Lovato Jr submitted UFC veteran Mike Rhodes via rear naked choke in the first round at Bellator 181. In his third Bellator MMA outing at Bellator 190, he defeated Chris Honeycutt via unanimous decision to extend his unbeaten streak to seven to begin his professional career. At Bellator 198 on April 28 , Lovato Jr will face another UFC veteran in John Salter in a middleweight contest. Good luck Rafael!